alat

Alat is a term used in Indonesian and Malay to denote any instrument, implement, or device that enables a person to perform a task. The core sense is of a tool or equipment, ranging from simple hand tools such as a hammer or screwdriver to complex devices such as electronic measurement instruments or kitchen appliances.

In everyday language, alat is often used in compound forms to specify the type of tool: alat tulis (stationery), alat masak or peralatan memasak (cooking utensils), alat rumah tangga (household appliances). When referring to a group, the plural is typically indicated by reduplication: alat-alat, though the exact form depends on context.

In addition to physical tools, alat also covers instruments in a broader sense, including musical instruments (alat musik) and scientific instruments (alat ukur). In Malay and Indonesian, related terms such as peralatan and peranti are often used for equipment or devices, with peralatan being more formal or technical.

Thus, alat is a flexible, everyday category in Indonesian and Malay that encompasses devices and implements designed to extend human capability, across manual, mechanical, and electronic domains.